All three swim clubs from Salmon Arm met at the SASCU Rec Centre pool for the first time to honour longtime masters swimmer, Jim Casselman, in the Swim for Jim Fun Meet.
Previously the event has been a masters- only event, but this year it was organized to include the Salmon Arm Waves, as well as both youth swimming teams – Salmon Arm Sockeyes and Columbia-Shuswap Selkirks.
“We have never had the event with all three swim clubs; it’s very exciting,” said Nadine Quilty, event organizer.
More than 30 swimmers competed, with funds going to the AREA Fund, Asbestos-related Research, Education and Advocacy.
“There are races with only kids versus kids, and we had races with adults versus kids – all in the name of fun,” said Laurie Roy, a masters swimmer.
Casselman was a masters swimmer as well as helping to coach the youth clubs.
“He was such an inspiration to me, and his love for swimming was contagious; people wanted to be around him,” said Quilty.
Casselman was diagnosed with Mesothelioma (cancer due to exposure to asbestos) and died at age 65, in 2007.
